15 Plants That Look Great All Year Round

A garden that excels in all four seasons relies on plants that provide multi-season interest. While spring ephemerals and summer perennials take the spotlight for a brief period, certain trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials shine throughout the year. With thoughtful plant choices, it’s possible to have beautiful structure, foliage and blooms in the garden no matter the season.

In this article, we’ll look at 15 top plants that help create year-round appeal:

Trees with Seasonal Interest

Trees form the backbone of the garden, lending height, shade and structure Consider these trees that contribute color, flowers or foliage appeal in every season

• Japanese Maple – Spring flowers, summer leaf color, fall color and winter branching
• Flowering Cherry – Spring blooms, summer foliage, fall color and winter form
• Crape Myrtle – Summer flowers, fall foliage and winter branching
• Redbud – Spring blooms, heart-shaped summer leaves, fall seeds, and winter form
• Serviceberry – Spring flowers, red summer berries, fall color, winter form

Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs maintain their foliage year-round providing permanent structure and a backdrop for seasonal interest. Some top choices include

• Boxwood – Excellent for hedges and topiary
• Yew – Versatile for screens, hedges and specimens
• Holly – Spiny foliage and red winter berries
• Rhododendron – Large evergreen leaves and spring blooms
• Mountain Laurel – Glossy leaves and spring flower clusters

Deciduous Shrubs for All Seasons

While deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in winter, many contribute great interest in other seasons. Some top picks:

• Hydrangea – Spring flowers, lush summer leaves, fall color
• Spirea – Spring blooms, fall foliage and winter branching
• Viburnum – Spring flowers, red fall berries, winter branching
• Fothergilla – Spring blooms, blazing fall foliage, winter form
• Beautyberry – Spring to fall foliage, vivid fall berries

Ornamental Grasses

Grasses lend texture and movement to gardens all year:

• Maiden Grass – Tan summer foliage, golden fall color
• Switch Grass – Blue-green summer blades, yellow fall color
• Fountain Grass – Mounded form, pink summer blooms, beige winter color
• Dwarf Fescue – Low, neat mounds of grass for edging

Perennials for Seasonal Interest

Certain perennials shine far beyond their flowering period:

• Coral Bells – Spring flowers, colored foliage
• Hosta – Bold summer leaves, fall color
• Variegated Sedge – Creamy stripes on grassy foliage
• Hellebore – Winter blooms, evergreen foliage
• Ornamental Sage – Spikes of fall flowers, aromatic foliage

Tips for Maximizing Impact

Follow these tips to get the most from your four-season garden:

• Include a mix of deciduous and evergreen plants for year-round structure.

• Select trees, shrubs and perennials with multi-season appeal like showy fruit, fall foliage and winter branching.

• Combine plants with different peak bloom times for continuous color.

• Use grasses and colored foliage to add texture and color in winter when blooms are few.

• Include plants of varied heights and forms for visual interest and diversity.

• Use pots and containers to add seasonal color that can be changed out.

• Add focal points like statues, arbors and fountains that look great year-round.

• Include bird feeders, nest boxes and water features for winter wildlife watching.

• Avoid extensive mulch beds, leaving some soil and plants exposed for winter appeal.

• Light trees and shrubs at dusk to highlight their bark and structure.

Sample Plant Combinations for Year-Round Impact

Here are a few plant combinations that will provide four seasons of beauty:

Spring: Flowering cherry tree, spirea, daffodils, hyacinths

Summer: Hydrangea, Russian sage, daylilies, creeping Jenny

Fall: Burning bush, asters, mums, ornamental grasses

Winter: Evergreens, dogwoods, winterberry holly, hellebores

With thoughtful plant selection and design, you can easily create a garden brimming with life and beauty all year long. Play with textures, forms and colors as the seasons change for a landscape that reflects nature’s constant beauty.